mykidsmom99

I know it is a long way out, but we are (still) planning our first trip to Italy for next Sept 2012. After discussions on this board and researching travel books and guides, we have finally decided on an itinerary that will include:

5 nights Venice (day trip to Verona)
4 nights Cinque Terre area
4 nights Rome

We want to travel in September but we have flexibility with the dates. We were thinking of arriving in Venice on a Sunday and flying out of Rome on a Saturday, but these days are flexible as well if there are options that would be better (crowds, hours of operation, etc). Should we wait until the end of September? Any dates to avoid? I didn't see any major holidays but want to be sure I didn't overlook something.

Also, we were thinking of spending the day in Florence en route from Venice to CT since the train stops there anyway. I know a day won't do justice to the area, but I figure it is better than not visiting at all! Albeit not ideal, would this be feasible?

Any thoughts, comments or advice is greatly appreciated!

bobthenavigator

I would do the latter half of Sep and include 2 nites in Florence as you transition. Nice trip!

mykidsmom99

If I do 2 nights in Florence I would need to give up days somewhere else because I cannot extend our trip

ira

Hi Mom,

>If I do 2 nights in Florence I would need to give up days somewhere else because I cannot extend our trip.<

You already have one night too many in the CT. End of Sept is not the best time, weatherwise.

Use it to do more than just rush through Florence.

I can highly recommend www.bedinflorence.it It's about 10 min walk from the train station in a residential area.

Enjoy your visit.

mykidsmom99

Thanks Ira! I'll keep that suggestion in mind and see if there is something else I can do.

mamcalice

Agree with Ira. Four nights in Cinque Terre is more than enough. Florence is a wonderful place to spend as many days as you possibly can. If it were my trip (and it's not!), I would consider 3 nights in Venice, 3 in Florence, 3 in CT and 4 in Rome.

bobthenavigator

Try 4-2-3-4
Have fun !

A_Brit_In_Ischia

Worth bearing in mind perhaps that it's nearly always around September 12/15th that Italian schools start to reopen... which usually sees prices a little lower in some places, and a big change in the mix of tourists!

However, with new bus schedules and parents on the school run "settling in", getting around - especially locally and from midday onwards - can be a challenge for the first few days....

Peter

mykidsmom99

Thanks all! If I shorten my CT visit to 2 days, would you recommend being there on Saturday & Sunday or Sunday & Monday?

I've read that the weekends might still be crowded in CT in September so wondering if it would be better to be there at least 1 non-weekend day. Thanks!

notbob

something to consider:

The Regata Storica festival in Venice is the (I believe)first Sunday in Septmebr. In 2012 it will be Sept 2nd.

It is a wondeful spectacle and might be soething for you to see. YOu could fly in the Saturday before.

http://www.regatastoricavenezia.it/?lang=en&pg=1&page=1